At a Friendsgiving party on November 19, 2023, sitting around a table playing cards with friends, is where their story began. There was an empty seat next to Edi, so Alannah joined him, and after polite acknowledgements and minutes of talking to others around the table, they turned their attention towards each other. Casual yet curious conversation followed. Alannah didn’t think much of it, her heart content with where she was at with God and unaware that this man sitting next to her would one day be her husband. And in no way did she guess that Edi had actually been admiring her from a distance for months. Fast forward to their first date in February 2024. It was Alannah’s first time venturing into dating for over two years. Two years of healing, restoration, and growth. God mended her broken heart during that time and restored identity and purpose, but little did she know there was a part of her heart yet to be healed. And it would only be healed through Edi showing her she was worth being pursued and waited upon, despite her uncertainty and doubts. Edi had been waiting for God to bring him his wife for many years, and patiently trusted that in His timing, He would bring him the “choice of heaven.” There were moments along his journey where he doubted this woman existed. And that maybe, he would fulfill the calling God had for him alone, without someone by his side. So he ran head first into serving God, working hard, and dreaming. Alannah had her hopes and dreams, but didn’t know that there was a man for her that exceeded her expectations — someone who loved deeply, was safe, who loved the Lord more than anything else, who was intelligent, kindhearted, creative, and someone who was a best friend as well as a lover. Their first few dates were filled with edifying conversation — about life, ministry, God, career, dreams, aspirations, their past, their families. They laughed, ate great food, and gently allowed the Holy Spirit to guide every moment. During their third date, Alannah remembers actually feeling peace and joy, not confusion and regret, something that was new when it came to dating. She didn’t have racing butterflies at first, but her heart rate calmed and her soul felt safe whenever she was with Edi. (Today, Alannah gets butterflies every time she sees Edi 🥹 But she now knows God had to develop this relationship in the beginning differently than any others in the past — to show her that love was a safe home, not a fast race that ended in destruction). From January to April 2024, Alannah took her time and didn’t rush into it. Her heart was guarded and her boundaries were up. It took lots of prayer, and much encouragement from friends and family around them both who helped Alannah walk out of fear and into trust — trust that God was doing something special… Edi patiently waited, being certain that this woman God brought into his life was the one, even if it took her a while to see it too. :) On a summer day in June, as they sat together on the grass for a picnic, the walls finally went down. Conversation that was once guarded turned to vulnerability. Nervousness turned to safety. A friendship was growing deeper and a love was growing stronger. A few weeks later, a day before Alannah’s 26th birthday, Edi wrote a letter sharing his heart and officially asked her to be his girlfriend. In the months that followed, God transformed both of them — and still is to this day. They are united by a deep love for Jesus and for each other, and feel blessed that soon, they will become one, surrounded by the Holy Spirit, their families, and their friends. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” That has been the defining verse of their relationship. What a difference 2 years can make 🤍